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View Full Version : Back from Khan/Barrera - My take.


Addie
03-15-2009, 11:31 AM
This was my first ever live fight, and I would like to say that the atmosphere was incredible, and was 10 times better than watching it live on television. Great night, albeit a disappointing finale.

Cook vs Martinez

Early on, I felt Cook was out-boxing Martinez on the outside and looked not only the hungrier, but the much more accomplished fighter. I don't know if he always starts slow, but he began to pick the pace up, walking through anything Cook threw, and started to work on the inside. Cook didn't deal with this very well, and the moment he was being backed up, he couldn't get his own shots off and his defense was non existent. Showing knock-out, and although it looks impressive, Martinez falls short of a world beater, whereas Cook proved once against that the British aren't tough enough. Back to domestic level for him. Good fight.

Enzo vs Afolabi

This was probably the best fight of the night, with the majority of the entertainment provided by the American-Based wildcard gym fighter, Afolabi. He showed some slick head movement, and the crowd were especially taken back by his huge lunge over the ropes in attempt to avoid Enzo's shots. This was successful early on, but in the mid-rounds he was starting to get tagged a lot after wobbling Enzo himself. The later rounds saw the same kind of thing, with Afolabi doing little in the way of offense, and was eating right hands and left hooks to the body. Just when it seemed Enzo was in control, Afolabi's lands a booming right hand that would have beheaded any Heavyweight. I knew it was over once it landed, and despite Enzo's desperate struggles to get up, it was rightly waved off. Good fight, good luck to Afolabi, but he might want to rely less on reflexes, and get those hands up if he wants to beat Adamek. Back to domestic level for Enzo.

Barrera vs Khan

I am admittedly a huge Marco Antonio Barrera fan. I only decided to get tickets because of his inclusion, but I was not certain how much he had left. His last two fights provided no indication, and despite the W's on his record, that proved to be the case last night. Amir deserves a lot of credit for coming out with confidence, and throwing flurries that were either landing or missing on Marco. The first round, and the entire fight unfortunately, was tainted by an horrendous cut on Marco's head. It was terrible, as the blood began seeping in to his vision. The fight should have been ruled a NC, but this isn't to say Khan was lucky. His speed was a huge factor, although I never thought he hurt Marco. Bad decision, I am hugely disappointed.

I can still say I saw my favoruite fighter of all time in the flesh, and although his fight was lackluster, the undercard provided some entertaining fights and exchanges. Still the best sport in the world, and forever will be.

Decebal
03-15-2009, 11:41 AM
Thanks for that!:good

Atmosphere in the flesh KO1 anything on TV. I was there at Calzaghe v. Kessler and, well...it was unforgettable.

How fast and good did Khan look, in the flesh?:think

Addie
03-15-2009, 11:46 AM
Thanks for that!:good

Atmosphere in the flesh KO1 anything on TV. I was there at Calzaghe v. Kessler and, well...it was unforgettable.

How fast and good did Khan look, in the flesh?:think

Khan looked good, but his combination punching leaves a lot to be desired, His punch variety is poor, and he doesn't work to the body at all. He appeared to be shaken with what shots Marco did land, but he did outbox a one eyed fighter for the majority. I don't want to see a rematch. Khan proved nothing, whereas Marco proved his time is up.

Eihtwonder
03-15-2009, 01:12 PM
I was there too... great atmosphere really (altough I was surprised, being non-english, that that all the local fans didn't cheered for Khan, who was also booed!).

For sure, the doctors didn't worked correctly. He had 2 choices:
1) stop the fight in the first 4 rounds (I think he checked the cut at least twice...) for a non-contest.
2) after the 4th round, let the fight continue, as the cut was the same since first round. In that case, I think that Khan would have widely won on points... He was too fast and too mobile for Barrera who wasn't able to set his shots. The only way to save the fight for the Mexican was a big shot on Khan's chin...

I think that Khan fought a little bit like Calzaghe saturday... Lot of fast combinations without much power. Anyway, ending the fight in that kind of controversy took the glory from Khan, who was heading for victory anyway...

Charlie
03-19-2009, 09:20 AM
What do you think about Barrera's decision to fight a so-many-fight contract with Don King? Is it not time the Baby Faced Assassin hung up his gloves and retired? Hes an absolute legend and holds a place dear in my heart, but his time is definitely up IMO.

Addie
03-19-2009, 01:04 PM
What do you think about Barrera's decision to fight a so-many-fight contract with Don King? Is it not time the Baby Faced Assassin hung up his gloves and retired? Hes an absolute legend and holds a place dear in my heart, but his time is definitely up IMO.

Of course Marco should hang up the gloves. No way in hell should a fighter of his quality have to go even three rounds with a fighter like Khan. He may not be a natural Lightweight, but Marco would have wiped the floor with Amir if this was 2001. He would have been arrested after the fight.

fatcity
03-21-2009, 11:00 AM
I still don't understand why Barrera's corner didn't call the Dr. in after they couldn't stop the head wound and call the fight a tech draw after 2 or 3 rounds.
Very suspicious.:huh